The Nation Newspaper

Tag: reading culture

  • Nigerians not listed among nations that read

    National Library Chief Executive Officer Prof Lenrie Aina has identified the lack of reading culture as a major impediment to Nigeria’s development.

    Aina lamented that Nigeria is not listed among nations that read, while other African countries, such as Egypt and South Africa, are among the first 30 nations with reading culture.

    The National Librarian stated this in Kaduna at the Readership Promotion Campaign organised by the library.

    Aina, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the library, Mr Abel Odhigba, said the readership campaign was introduced to encourage reading among Nigerians, especially youths.

    Similarly, Head of Kaduna branch of the National Library, Muhammad Ndagi, said studies had shown that an average Nigerian reads less than one book yearly, while only one per cent of successful men and women in Nigeria read one non-fiction book monthly.

    Ndagi lamented that students lack reading skills; “instead, they spend more hours on electronic media, watching television and movies, browsing the net and playing with handsets”.

    He however said most of the reading problems could be prevented if the government, libraries and teachers apply what is known as reading instruction or techniques.

    He told teachers and parents on the occasion to cultivate the habit of presenting books as gifts to their children and students during their special occasions, such as birthdays and others.

    The event themed, ‘Working together to build a virile reading nation: Challenges and strategies’, was attended by students from various private and public secondary schools, who participated in a reading competition.

  • Foundation begins talent hunt on Literary/Poetry show

    Foundation begins talent hunt on Literary/Poetry show

    The Toma Foundation in collaboration with Edo State Ministry of Education has commenced a reality show on literature in order to promote reading culture among students in the state.

    It said the talent hunt tagged “Wake up the Giant, Edo Youths Got Talent Season 1″ was for students between the ages of 11 and 18 years old

    Founder of Toma Foundation, Mrs Stella Ebuetse, who spoke at an auctioning of participants at Auchi, Etsako West Local Government, said the show was aimed at boosting student’s confidence in communication and delivery skills.

    Mrs. Stella explained that the show was to awake a sense of pride in the nation’s culture and encouraged the youths that educational activities could be favorably rewarded beyond beauty contest, music and dance.

    Stella noted that 10 students would be picked from each senatorial district to contest at the final stage in Benin, where three students would be picked to represent the state at the regional level in September.

    According to her, “The audition is open to students in secondary school both public and private. The first stage which is the screening/audition will take place in three zones and 10 each from the zones.

    “The 30 contestants will be camped for two weeks in Benin, during this period, the contestants will receive the best professional training by seasoned literary guru, speech delivery, tips in writing short story and poetry composition.

    “There will be daily task on poetry recitation and compositions and elimination of various stages of presentation,” she said.

    “There is no doubt that reading culture is dead among our youths. Literary activities and exercise are abhorred among students.

    “As an English/Literature teacher for almost 30 years, the dwindling number of students offering literature is heart breaking.

    “Most worrisome is the fact that currently in Nigeria, we have over 20 reality show, but, none is focusing on this poor, nagging communication/reading problem.

    “It is sad to note that due to this ugly developing trend, parents and their wards, youths specifically have decided to abandon academic activities that have more lasting and impact than music and dance which lack the necessary ingredient to succeed in such fields,” she said.

     

  • Foundation decries decline in reading culture

    Societal decadence has been attributed as a major factor in the decline in reading culture among pupils in Nigeria.

    Founder of Children Education Development Awareness (CEDAR) Foundation Mr Tofeek Ojo, said socio-economic factors- technology, poverty and nonchalant attitude of some teachers have depleted the act of reading.

    He spoke at the foundation’s quarterly quiz competition organised for public primary schools within the Mushin Local Government, held at Islamic Model Primary School Complex, Mushin.

    Toefeek stressed that though technology is important for a country’s development, most pupils have psychologically addicted themselves to its negative uses.  He said the internet which should be a source of knowledge has become the engine house where all sort of vices are perpetrated.

    “Most of our children are using it (technology) wrongly. They hardly read their books, they spend more time surfing the internet, watching pornography, indulging in internet fraud or wasting precious time chatting,” he said.

    He said most pupils are influenced by peer pressure which makes them indulge social vices thereby depleting their mental ability.

    He noted that the society once bemoaned the practice, adding that now, it has become a ‘normal thing’ which makes some parents shy away from the truth.

    Taofeek explained that some parents also pressurise their children into doing things illegal, when they depending on them to take up certain family responsibilities.

    “Some children do not even eat before coming to school; parents also don’t monitor their children’s’ education. Some teachers on the other hand are lazy; they don’t motivate these children to read. They forget that they are the moulders,” he added.

    Proffering solution, he advised that stakeholders should support pupils by creating an enabling environment for reading, celebrating, motivating and inculcating moral values in them.

    He noted that the foundation is focuses on resuscitating poor reading habit, adding that the poor performance in major public examinations gave him a wakeup call

    “Our children are no longer reading. This has been giving me sleepless night. When I hear the result of WAEC and JAMB it really touches me deeply, coupled with malpractice our children indulges in.  I deemed it fit that it is better for us to go back to the drawing board. Let us catch them young; by so doing, you are giving them a proper environment for learning, and then reading would now become a culture. I believe parents corporate organisations and teachers have to come together to make things work out well.”

  • Provost decries poor reading culture

    Provost decries poor reading culture

    The Provost ACE Prof Ogen, has criticised the poor reading culture among youths.

    He spoke during the presentation of the History Departmental Library donated by an alumnus, Dr Olatunde Oladokun.

    The donor used the opportunity of the inistitution’s  Golden Jubilee to donate the project. He graduated from the college 23 years ago.

    He described the donor as a “man of vision determined to make impact on his generation.”

    Ogen described Oladokun’s initiative as laudable, noting that the move would help in the advancement of knowledge and re-awakening of reading culture.

    Earlier, Oladokun said he decided to embark on the project as part of his contributions to the growth of the college.

     

  • Poor reading culture cause of low performance in exams – Wike

    Poor reading culture cause of low performance in exams – Wike

    Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike on Tuesday in Abuja blamed the poor performance of students in public examinations on poor reading culture.

    Wike said this at the opening of a four-day workshop for English Language teachers in secondary schools in Abuja, organised by the National Action Committee on Read Campaign.

    Represented by Mrs. Bridget Okpa, Director, Education Planning, Research and Development in the ministry, the minister said the Federal Government was worried by the declining standard of education in the country, particularly at basic school levels.

    “The importance of reading among students and teachers to unlocking any form of knowledge and information can never be over-emphasised.

    “As we all know, the falling standard of education in Nigeria has become a topical issue of national dimension.

    “It is in recognition of the importance of reading that the Federal Ministry of Education has accorded the Read Campaign recognition.

    “It is a central place to chart the course of reading and inculcating reading culture among Nigerians,” he said.

    Wike said that government was stepping up its campaign to address poor reading and comprehension competencies among teaching personnel.

    The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, said that reading was a valuable asset through which national and international development could be attained.

    “Reading is the means by which people gain access to the vast and varied supply of knowledge and experiences that are preserved in written form.

    “It is also an outlet for relaxation and enjoyment.

    “As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and it is through reading good books that one acquires knowledge,’’ he said.

  • Scholars Memo to aid reading culture

    A new educational journal, Scholars Memo, is now seeking to help secondary school pupils and youths to imbibe good reading habits.

    The full-colored magazine published by Digital Torch has tailored its content to what appeals to young ones.

    Its Media Operations Director, Olamide Dawodu said the vision that births the Magazine is that of inculcating leadership skills, good character, discipline and academic excellence in youths for the overall development of the nation.

    He advised parents to help their wards develop good reading habits at home by exposing them to books.

    ”It is imperative for parents to ensure that the children read and study extensively at home. All stakeholders, parents, schools, students, governments, corporate organisations and individuals have roles to play to reverse the poor reading habits of our youths. Students on their part must be aware that they are products of what is in them by way of the quality of knowledge and exposure they acquire,” he said.

    Scholars Memo is divided into two parts: Tutorial (Learning Made Easy) where basic subjects are simplified and treated by experienced professionals; and the General Interest section which feature articles that are educative, entertaining and motivational.

    It also contains Health tips, jokes, and cartoons and puzzles to educate, refresh and to inspire the students and generally the youths to greater height.

    Dawodu said the publication is the firm’s contribution to youth empowerment.

    “As youth development vanguards and stakeholders in educational and moral development of, the publication of Scholars Memo is our modest effort and contribution. We also expect that all wise parents will play their roles by availing their children and wards a regular supply of the magazine which is distributed to government offices, corporate bodies and schools nationwide,” he said.